Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting an estimated 20 million people. People over 65 are more at risk for developing the disease.

The Basics

• In normal joints, cartilage covers the ends of bones. It reduces friction between the bones and absorbs shocks from motion.
• Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage between bones at a joint becomes stiff, and eventually breaks down. Instead of gliding over one another, bones rub against each other. The loss of cartilage also leads to a reduced capacity to absorb shock from movement. This loss of cartilage causes swelling, pain, and a loss of motion.

Contributing Factors

Doctors do not yet know the exact causes of osteoarthritis, but there are several factors that seem to increase the risk of developing the disease, including:

• Being overweight
• Previous injuries to joints
• Having a job or playing a sport that places a large amount of stress on joints
• The natural process of aging
  

Heredity may also play a part in contracting the disease. Inheriting a gene that produces defective cartilage contributes to the development of the disease.

Symptoms

• Pain in a certain joint, either for long periods of time or coming in bursts – the joints most often affected are the knees, hips, lower back, neck, thumbs and the ends of fingers
• Joints that swell or feel tender
• Stiffness in a particular joint after periods of rest
• Audible rubbing or crunching between bones

Treatment

The main goals of treatment are to manage or reduce pain and improve the function of joints. This can be achieved through a combination of activities and treatments.

• Schedule regular rests to avoid overexertion and pain. This can be combined with the use of splints to support joints.
• Regular exercise has been proven to decrease pain, improve flexibility and range of motion, and reduce weight. Losing weight is important, since it can relieve stress on affected joints.
  

• Doctors prescribe several types of medication, depending on the case and the patient.
1. Acetominophen is a painkiller that relieves pain while not reducing swelling. It is unlikely to cause long-term side effects.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are painkillers that relieve pain while also reducing swelling. They are more likely than acetaminophen to cause side effects such as stomach problems.
3. Creams and sprays that are applied directly to the skin to relieve pain.
4. Corticosteroids can be injected directly into joints for short-term pain relief, and are used only two or three times a year.
5. Mild narcotic painkillers can also be used, but they can be addicting.

• Doctors can perform surgery to remove loose pieces of bone or cartilage, smooth the surface of bones, reposition bones, or replace joints. These artificial joints often last 10 to 15 years. The hip and knee joints are those most commonly replaced.